The Signs

A Brief Introduction to Astrology

Each of the 12 astrological signs belongs to a certain element in one of
its states. This gives us twelve quite different basic types. These varying
qualities provide the “backdrop” to the planetary positions.
As each horoscope has different planets in different signs, there can never
be a “pure” Aries or a “pure” Gemini. Each horoscope
is a highly individual, very complex and usually also very varied combination
of parts.

In order to understand the signs, we must take into account the typical
expressions of the elements, as well as the characteristics belonging to
the planets associated with the signs.

Aries

The ram is used to describe the sign of Aries
because it is always full of energy and life, always on the move, and
always looking for a challenge. A typical Aries person is usually full
of vitality and courage. He enjoys challenge, and can often be found
excelling at sports and other competitive games.
He will try anything if there is a chance to win. Many people who have
the Sun in Aries, or perhaps some of the other planets in Aries, are
natural leaders. They have plenty of new, creative ideas. They may get
impatient when they must follow a routine, or do what they think are
boring things. The Aries person does not like being told what to do.
He likes to make his own way in life.

Aries belongs to a group of Zodiac signs which
astrologers call fire signs. By this they mean that people born under
these signs remind them of a warm, bright, crackling fire. They have
a fiery, impulsive quality. They tend to be outgoing and sometimes have
hot tempers, but they forgive easily as well. They are optimistic and
rarely remain sad for long. Leo and Sagittarius are also fire signs.

If you are an Aries think how good you feel
when you are first at something, and when you can invent new ideas or
activities which your friends enjoy.

Taurus

The bull is used to describe the sign of
Taurus because he usually is plodding and peaceful in his movements. He
is deliberate and relaxed and enjoys his food. A
typical Taurus person likes comfort, and is willing to work hard for the
things that make him happy. Like a bull he does not easily lose his temper,
but when he does get angry it is best to stay out of his way!

The most important thing to Taurus is stability.
Many Taurus people love beautiful things. They may also love the land,
and be happiest in the country. Some Taurus people have fine voices and
a talent for music, or they may be good at sculpture or woodwork. Others
are practical and can be excellent accountants or bookkeepers. But sometimes
Taurus people take a long time to decide what they are best at, because
this is a patient sign and Taurus people are in no hurry.

Taurus belongs to a group of signs which astrologers
call earth signs. By this they mean that Taurus people have a solid,
reliable quality which reminds them of the earth itself. Virgo and Capricorn
are also earth signs.

If you are a Taurus your special gifts are your reliability, and your
ability to bring peace and stability into other people's lives.

Gemini

The twins are used to describe the sign of
Gemini because typical Gemini people love to share ideas with someone
else. The most important thing for a Gemini is communication. Gemini
people are almost always curious about lots of different things. A typical
Gemini person usually enjoys being with other people, and loves to talk
about the latest thing he is doing. People usually like their Gemini friends,
because they have something interesting to share with everybody.

Many Gemini people are talented at writing,
teaching and public speaking. Some are gifted dancers. Many of them work
in the fields of radio, television and newspapers because they love to
be around when news is being created. It is especially important for Gemini
people to travel and meet new people.

Gemini belongs to a group of signs which astrologers
call air signs. By this they mean that Gemini people have a sparkling,
changeable, light quality which makes them think of the light and refreshing
breeze of a spring day. Libra and Aquarius are also air signs.

If you
are a Gemini think about how good you feel when you are right in the
middle of exciting things and can tell your friends your own story of
what happened. You can brighten up a whole room full of people, and teach
them something new at the same time.

Cancer

The crab is used to describe this sign because
it carries its own house with it. It will also move sideways instead of
in a straight line, and although a crab cannot really hurt you with its
claws, it can hang on very tightly to something it wants.
A typical Cancer person is home-loving and
fond of his family. At the same time he is often quite subtle in his behaviour
and may approach people
and situations indirectly if he cannot get what he wants by going straight
forward. And when he loves someone or has something which makes him happy,
he will hang on very tightly and not let go.

Cancer people want to be needed, and it is
important to them to be around people who love them and help them to feel
secure. They are also often shy and sensitive, but they can be brave and
courageous about protecting their friends and loved ones. Many Cancer
people also have wonderful imaginations, and can create fine stories and
paintings.

Cancer belongs to a group of signs which astrologers
call water signs. By this they mean that Cancer people have a deep, mysterious,
gentle quality which makes them think of gazing into a cool, deep pool
or into the flowing waters of a river. Scorpio and Pisces are also water
signs.

If you are a Cancer think about how good you feel when you are
close to your family and feel safe and secure in a warm, happy home.

Leo

The lion is called the King of the Beasts,
and astrologers think that this animal is a good symbol to represent the
kind of personality which seems to belong to most Leos. If you watch a
lion you will see that he is always dignified, proud looking, and relaxed.
He seems to know that he is king.Sometimes
he also enjoys being lazy and lying around in the sun. All this means
that if you are a Leo you probably need plenty of time and opportunity
in your life to do the things you want, things that give you joy and allow
you to express yourself in a pleasurable way. Leos always like to think
big, and do not enjoy things which are too detailed, or too dull. They
also like to lead, and don't like being ordered around.

There is another thing which is important
to a Leo, and that is love. Leo people need plenty of love and attention.
They can feel hurt if they are ignored, or if someone else takes the credit
for something they have done. They love to have an audience, and even
a fairly shy, quiet Leo might secretly look to see if anyone is watching
when he is doing something.

Leo is a fire sign, like Aries and Sagittarius.
If you are a Leo, think about how good it feels to create something which
is uniquely yours, something artistic or something exciting like a new
invention, which everyone admires and which also brings pleasure to other
people. Don't be afraid to ask for the attention and love you need, but
remember that other people like to be loved and admired in return.

Virgo

The symbol of Virgo the Maiden was chosen
by astrologers to represent people born under this sign because there
is a cool, clear quality to the way that a typical Virgo person thinks.

Virgo people are usually very gentle and quiet,
and love small animals and growing things. Many Virgos love to do detailed
things and are talented at crafts like dressmaking. They will work hard
to create something which is beautiful and useful at the same time. People
born under the sign of Virgo are often happy to be alone, providing they
know that they are needed and appreciated by others. In fact, the most
important thing to Virgo people is service. They are always ready to help
others, and are very sympathetic to their friend's problems. Often they
are shy and sensitive, but deep down are generous with their love and
their talents.

Virgo is an earth sign, like Taurus and Capricorn.
If you are a Virgo, you will know how good you feel when you have been
able to help somebody else in some way. Also you will get great pleasure
from making something with your own hands. You will probably find that
as you grow up the kind of work you do will become very important to you,
for you need to feel you are contributing something worthwhile to life.
Don't ever feel that noisier, bossier people are better than you, because
your special gentleness and quietness is much needed in this world.

Libra

When you use a pair of scales you must get
exactly the right amount on each side to make them balance. If there is
too much on one side, or too little on the other, the scales will tip.
Astrologers think this is a good symbol for Libra people because they
seem to need equal amounts of everything in their lives to be happy. Libra
people need to keep a balance between work and play, and between their
thoughts and their emotions. Sometimes they seem to have trouble making
decisions, but this is because they must consider all sides of a question
first. They are always striving for perfection and balance, and love beauty
and harmony around them.

The most important thing for a Libra person
is this idea of harmony. Libra people love to have people about them and
to feel that they are appreciated. They usually get very interested in
the opposite sex early in life, because they need love and companionship.
Lots of Libra people are artistic and appreciate beautiful things. Sometimes
they are talented at music or singing, and often dress well. But they
may also be good at mathematics and science, because there is a clear,
logical quality to the way they think. Usually Libra people are well liked
because they are charming and easy to get along with. When a Libra person
argues or behaves badly, it is usually because he feels that something
is unfair.

Libra is an air sign, like Gemini and Aquarius.
If you are a Libra, think about how good you feel when everything in your
life seems to be harmonious and well-balanced, and when you have friends
to go places or do things with.

Scorpio

The scorpion is a solitary little animal
which likes to hide under stones. He can be dangerous, but he is never
aggressive by himself and will only harm someone if he is disturbed. Astrologers
think that the scorpion is a good symbol to represent those born under
this sign because
Scorpio people usually need plenty of time by themselves to think deeply
about things they feel.

Scorpio people are sometimes very quiet, shy
and sensitive and like to keep secrets. They can feel things very intensely.
Scorpio people are also often very good at seeing the good and bad points
in other people. The most important thing for Scorpio is self-understanding.
They are not afraid to try things other people are frightened of, if it
will help them to learn more about themselves. At the same time, they
do not like to be taken advantage of or injured, and many Scorpio people
have a very strong sense of justice. This can make life difficult for
Scorpio children if they think they are being unfairly punished. Scorpio
children are often much wiser and more understanding than other children,
so they should always be given reasons when they are told to do something.

Many Scorpio people are good at things which
require deep thought and understanding, like psychology. Some of them
become fine doctors and surgeons, because they are interested in the
mysteries of life and like to heal.

Scorpio is a water sign, like Cancer and Pisces. If you are a Scorpio,
your special gifts are your insight and sensitivity, and your strength
of will, which can achieve anything in life.

Sagittarius

The centaur is an imaginary creature who
is half horse and half man. In the stories of mythology he is full of
adventure and will gallop to the ends of the earth just for the joy of
finding something new. In his hands he carries a bow and arrow. He shoots
his arrow at some distant goal, gallops off in pursuit, and when he finds
his arrow shoots it again, always keeping on the move. Astrologers
think the centaur is a good symbol for those born under this sign, because
they generally love travelling, seeing new places and meeting new people.
They are always ready for a new adventure and always ready to learn something
new.

Sagittarius people need plenty of freedom,
because they want to experience as much of life as they can. They are
unhappy when tied down to a routine, and happiest when starting off on
something new. Walking is a favourite Sagittarian pastime, and many excel
at sports. Sagittarians also have restless, adventurous minds, and like
to take up new studies. Many Sagittarians are keenly interested in philosophy
and the world of ideas, and they also love to have a good time and are
fun to be with.

Sagittarius is a fire sign, like Aries and
Leo. If you are a Sagittarius, you will probably find that as you grow
older you want to travel. You should have a lively and inquiring mind,
and will always be asking questions about everything. Above all, you should
have great faith in yourself, and your special and unique gift is this
ability to wish upon a lucky star and believe your dreams really will
come true.

Capricorn

The mountain goat is always climbing higher
and higher toward the summit. He is sure-footed and never falls, and knows
where he is going. Other animals cannot catch him because he simply climbs
higher and looks out over the world from a safe and secure place on the
mountain top. Astrologers think that the mountain goat is a good symbol
for those born under the sign of Capricorn because
they are the type of people who have a goal towards which they will work
hard and long. Capricorn people usually have plenty of self-discipline
and are successful in what they do.

The most important thing to a Capricorn is
achievement. He will tend to take life seriously, and it is important
for him to be good at something. He needs to feel that he has a skill,
something he can do better than anyone else. Capricorn people are hard
workers and many of them make excellent teachers, lawyers and statesmen.
They are also quiet and diplomatic and know how to be subtle and tactful
in their dealings with others. It may take a long time for you to get
to know a Capricorn person, because he is often serious and shy by nature.

Capricorn is an earth sign, like Virgo and
Taurus. If you are a Capricorn you will probably find that as you grow
older it will be more and more important for you to achieve success in
something and earn recognition for your abilities. Work is very important
to you. Family life is equally important, and you may have a love of history
and tradition. Your special and unique gift is your inner determination
to succeed at what you want in life, and that means you probably will.

Aquarius

The man who carries the pitcher of water
freely shares his water with all those who are thirsty. Astrologers think
this is a good symbol for people born under the sign of Aquarius, because
they are generous in sharing their gifts with other people. Aquarians
are often humanitarians.
This means that they are interested in people and will feel concern for
people as a group. They believe that everyone is their friend, whether
they are black or white, rich or poor, beautiful or ugly. Aquarius is
a friendly sign.
Many Aquarians have excellent minds. They
are very clever at science and are especially interested in anything which
can help people. They are often fascinated by gadgets and inventions,
and some Aquarians become great inventors themselves. Others may support
political movements concerned with questions of freedom and justice. Aquarius
people, are often not very emotional, because they are more interested
in exchanging ideas and helping others.
Aquarius is an air sign, like Gemini and Libra.
If you are an Aquarian, your special and unique gift is your tolerance
and understanding of other people. You have the gift of being able to
perceive what people really think and feel, no matter how they are dressed,
or what walk of life they come from, and people feel you are their friend
because you are truly interested in them. With this gift you can help
people to make the best out of their own lives.

Pisces

Life under the sea is very different from
life on land, and the fishes live in a world where there are many secret
and hidden things, mysteries and strange beauties. They are also graceful
creatures who swim and glide through the gentle currents of water. Astrologers
think that fishes are a good symbol for Pisces people. They often seem
to flow through life in a graceful way. They
love music and poetry and frequently daydream. They often have a private
inner world which is a very special and precious place to them, but they
can be deeply compassionate towards other people who are unhappy.
Other people sometimes find Pisces hard to
understand, because they feel so deeply and see many things in life which
they cannot share with more practical types. They love the magic and mystery
of the ocean, and wild, unspoilt scenery. They often need to be on their
own, but always return to the company of others, for they are happiest
when they have someone or something to be devoted to. There is a great
deal of love in Pisces people. Many Pisces people become writers, artists
and musicians. In addition, Pisces people are often deeply religious.
Pisces is a water sign, like Cancer and Scorpio.
If you are a Pisces, you may find that it becomes important as you grow
older to find some kind of spiritual belief or faith. You may have a vivid
imagination, and others who do not share this gift may think you daydream
too much. But these daydreams are important to you, and you should never
be afraid to have special times when you can withdraw into your private
world.

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